AE Trihemiobol
246-222 BCE
29.18mm 16.90g
Obverse: Diademed Head of Zeus Ammon right
Reverse: Basileus Ptolemaios, statue of Aphrodite standing facing on base
CPE B447; Svoronos 1005; SNG Copenhagen 644 Paphos mint
Ex Herb Klug
By ancient standards, things went pretty well for Ptolemy III, whose second name means “the benefactor.” The son of Ptolemy II, Ptolemy III led Egypt during arguably its height. He came obscenely close to destroying the Seleukid Empire, until an unfortunate rebellion at home forced him to give up the pursuit. He also acquired Kyrene with its abundant silphium from his wife, Berenike II.
I purchased this coin due to the nice portrait of Zeus and the good quality and slight rarity of the reverse, which contains a statue of Aphrodite.
At his death, Ptolemy’s only remaining son, Ptolemy IV took over. Since his three other brothers had been executed, he was the logical choice.